Wowzer Weekend

What a great weekend it was!

Celebrating birthdays.

Spending time with sisters.

Teaching a yoga class.

Seeing good, longtime friends.

Celebrating with Scouts.

Enjoying the Sunshine.

Taking a cozy nap.

Seeing my girl through a dental visit.

My mom and lil' sis Whitney... Whitters... Wa-hiney.

Mom is a hard working (single) mother to us six kids.

Whitney is a sassy, fun loving auntie with a great husband that takes her on super cool adventures.

Mmmmm love you twos!

Here is Ashley and Luke dancing at Richard B-day celebration.

This is muh big sis Rachel and her family.

More dancing fun!

I tried to get in as much time with my sisters as I could.

Rachel and Whitney came from out of town and I already miss them.

Bradey, my little tiger cub got his badge at the 100 year scout celebration.

Sis and I are sooo proud of him.

Once again, keeping Luke under control at the scout's party was near impossible.

His dinner roll had been on more adventures in it's half hour with him than I've been on in my whole life.

(That doesn't say much for me... but seriously!!!)

Sis had to have three teeth extracted. Thankfully Frank's uncle... Frank, was willing to do the job.

(My Frank named after his dad's twin brother, Frank.)

As you can see, the laughing gas made her extra happy.

She wanted Daddy and Aunt Ashley there with her.

She did great!

I was a dental assistant for 10 years, so to cut the cost, I assisted. It was like old times because Frank and I worked together my first two years and then Jim (my father-in-law), and I worked together for 8 years.

Yoga class was refreshing and oh how I enjoy the ladies in my friday class.

Baby Hudsen was born today. Congratulations to Matt and Jenae!

I took a half hour nap today. It was much needed and I don't remember the last time I napped.

I spent this evening at a friend's baptism.

It was great to see so many people I love and have shared my life with.

Lots of hugging.

Lots of tears.

Lots of healing.

A childhood babysitter was there. That was fun. She also, is a yoga instructor. Yay!

I am so grateful for the relationships in my life.

So many good people that have been there, are there... and will be there.

I know there will be more to come and the building will continue.

One day...

One moment...

One sweet soul...

at a time.

Thank you.

Have a great Monday!

Courtney

Birthday wishes

It is a Happy Birthday weekend.

First of all, Happy Birthday to my cousin Julia.

Julia celebrated yesterday and it sounded like she had a great day. We are the same age and spent our childhood as best friends. Picking up again after my time gone, we are getting reacquainted and relating on a new level. Julia is a nurturer at heart. She loves to love. Glad you had a good day yesterday cous! Love you!

Happy Birthday Richard!

This is Ashley's handsome hubby... Uncle Bear.

No, he doesn't normally wear nail polish, but Carli got a hold of him and this is just what happens. I don't have any normal pics of him because in almost all of them, there are kids climbing all over this man. My kids love him. He gives them fun attention. Richard is a great guy with a big heart. He likes to give. He has seen Ashley through a lot when I wasn't there for her and I love him for that.

Love you Uncle Bear!

Happy Birthday Moko!!!!

This is my nephew Matthew Jr. He is SEVEN today!

He likes to pose for pictures. In fact, he tells me how the picture should go and I get the shot.

He is a spunky little guy with a mean kick.

Talk about a whirlwind.

Yet sooo lovable.

This is his mommy and I smooching on him.

I've got some squirrelly sticks to show him next time he comes.

Sticks are fun.

Moko has been traveling the US with his family since November.

They have a great blog to follow the adventures.

Being my older brother's child... Moko has more in him then your average seven year old.

He can dance, he can climb, he can run (among many other things) and he can do Tae Kwan Do with the best of them.

He tied himself up with string, then requested a pic of him trying to break away from a capture.

I love you my Moko!!!

Auntie Coco

Courtney

Just in Case

We are trying out a new product.

Loved the first can of it.

Wanted to share.

If it's interesting enough, read the "The Ultimate Story" here on this website.

The Ultimate Meal

I'm enjoying having my sisters in town. - 3 out of the 5 at least.

Looking forward to tomorrow's class.

Releasing through asanas is a great way to start the weekend.

I can feel the ladies tension from the week melt away by the end of class.

I myself will love the release. I've been practicing more lately due to tight muscles.

There are some things I am excited to share. Hopefully I will get some down time soon to write about it.

Lots to learn and lots to practice.

Have a wonderful day!

Courtney

I like your HEALING ENERGY.

At the very end of Tuesday's class, one of the last things said (by a student) was,

"We all could stand to be around people with healing energy."

This is something that I think about a lot.

"Healing energy" is simply...

comfort, acceptance, compliments, caring, love etc..

It's a big thing to choose to be around those who build up instead of break down...

but it's a bigger thing to be the builder.

Haven't we all had our share of being criticized, misunderstood or wrongly gossiped about?

Some more than others, but nonetheless everyone has had their share.

There also is so much inner turmoil (in most people), that who needs outside influences making life worse?

Really.... WHO???

Everyone has the ability to heal.

Courtney

It was a fun, crazy weekend.

Muh big sis Rachel is in town with her two adorable kiddos.

Had girls night out with some ladies (and a few guys) from high school.

Frank's brother Rich and his wife Tasha came to stay with us for the weekend.

Sunday after all was said and done, we crashed.

I'm still tired.

Here's some pics.

Frank's Mom, Brother Rich, Sis in law Tasha.

Rachel and Ashley were here with us too, but wiggled out of the pics.

I got a few really hilarious ones of Ash, but don't know yet if she will let me post them.

Rich and Tasha looking cute.

Somehow I didn't get the memo on this pic, but it looks like both kids on either side knew exactly what was going on.

Their drama makes up for my lack of drama.

Luckily the restaurant was slow and we were in a corner because Luke got restless and decided it would be more fun if he was shirtless. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught some streaking flesh running by. He was sneaky and then giggled as he tried to keep from getting caught.

This is me begging the heavens for mercy.

And here is Luke loving every minute of his rebellion.

Tasha and Bradey catching up.

I'm thinking it must be Tasha's curly blond hair that kept Luke stalking her. He even tried to get into the bathroom while she was getting ready for the day.

There should have been a sign that said, "Don't feed the teenagers." Bradey made a big mistake.

What's shopping without...

Frank took Luke and I out today to look for a bookshelf.

We went to some second-hand stores and enjoyed looking at all the unique things.

As much as I enjoyed being out and looking around though, it was the people I saw that brought the smile to my face. Unfortunately I'm not brave enough yet to just walk up to a stranger and ask to take their picture. Otherwise it's those unique folks I would be posting pics of today,

Like...

The lady with the silver rings on every finger. She looked like a little "hip" grandma. She was very nice and I could tell that if we had time, she would visit with me all day.

Or...

The indian fellow who had a beautiful single braid hanging all the way down his back. He gave me a big smile when I came around the corner and we said, "Hello". I would have loved to hear "his story".

Or...

The lady who asked me if I worked at the store (even though I was wearing my coat and purse). She was wondering what the the day's specials were. Her voice was deep and raspy. She wasn't so excited to learn that the sale was only on the little things... she wanted clothes.

I'd imagine that she has dreams and ideas. I'd love to ask her.

Or...

The young, pretty german mom who asked if my hair color was real. Her hair used to be red... till it went brown. She had a very beautiful german accent.

After chatting about the red gene, we wished each other a good day and went our own ways.

I would have liked to ask her to come to a yoga class, just to get to know her a bit more, but I didn't think of it soon enough.

Or...

The couple from two different nationalities

and generations.

They slowly walked along, her after him. I'm sure they could give me a new outlook on some things.

She seemed warm and friendly. He was focused.

Together they made this unique energy.

And I wondered... "What would they say?"

Some folks I know could teach me lots.

Some have had experiences that I love to hear about, AND imagine what it must have been like.

Others carry an energy that I crave.

Even those that come across a bit prickly, I know there is something... something special about them... something uniquely different then anybody else here on earth.

(Sigh)... "I love people!"

Courtney

My Day in a Nutshell

Yawning, Stretching, Brushing, Rushing

Loading, Blending, Washing, Bosching

Driving, Pushing, Cropping, Shopping

Folding, Hanging, Lifting, Sifting

Sipping, Cutting, Walking, Talking

Eating, Pulling, Ripping, Dipping

Tying, Jogging, Teaching, Reaching

Smooching, Spraying, Holding, Molding

Watching, Waiting, Framing, Naming

Thinking, Praying, Dreaming, Believing,

BREATHING!

Thanks to God for all that I can be and do~

Courtney

Sunshine Award~

Yay! I received the Sunshine Award from Mandy at "Yoga Addicted" (one of my favorite blogs). Thank you so much Mandy... I hope my writings & pics continue to bring you sunshine!

I am giving this award to 12 blogs that bring me sunshine. All you have to do is simply link back to me and choose 12 blogs that bring sunshine to your day.

Here's my 12...

~ Amanda ~ The Grains of Paradise

~ Jayne ~ See Jayne Blog

~ Kristin ~ Daydreams of a Coastal Girl

~ Jules ~ Naturally Jules

~ Kandee ~ Kandee Johnson

~ Daily Cup of Yoga

~ Sofi ~ Bow Down Yoga

~ Stephanie ~ NieNie Dialogues

~ Sara ~ Stakerz Xposed

~ Beth ~ Corporate Yogini

~ Megan ~ Munch & Crunch

~ Bertie ~ Fit N' Fun

Courtney

~Meditation~

A new found friend asked me how to meditate. (Thank you Suzanne!) It's a great subject that so many people either don't know much about or struggle to practice. Being a big subject, it seems good to hit this one head on yet as simply as possible.

There are many different forms of meditation. Lots of books written that could help you find the type that works best.

My favorite is prayer meditation. This form works best for me to be able to open my crown chakra and receive inspiration needed. I've worked with it for years and have been given beautiful and "to the point" messages. I don't seek things in my meditation that are unnecessary or destructive in any way. I say this because meditation is a powerful principle and I have talked with people who have been in error in their intentions and it only produced painful results. Be wise.

1. All you need is a good, quiet place, your journal, a pen... and you. Where you meditate is important. It needs to be a place that won't distract your mind. Somewhere peaceful to the eyes and ears. If it's warm outside, nature can be the best place as it naturally makes us feel closer to God. Bring something to write on, and write with.

2. Before you begin, write down your intention with the specific meditation. Something you are thinking about, a problem you are trying to solve, an emotion you want to resolve or express, a principle you wish to understand better, etc..

These are very basic examples. Be specific. Be genuine.

3. Find a comfortable seated position on the ground, or in a chair... (preferably a harder chair that you can sit upright and will support a straight back). Place your paper with the written intention in front of you or in your lap. Read it.

4. Close your eyes and start by letting God know of your thankful heart... the things that you recognize God has done for you, or given you that have blessed your life. Then bring your written intention to your mind, and before God. Ask for what it is you are wanting to come from this meditation.

5. Now just allow that subject to be the only thing in your mind. Don't try too hard, but just let it be there... listen. If any chatter or static comes into your mind, look at the written intention and bring it back to the forefront of your thinking. Keep thinking on this written intention until what you are needing comes to you... then write down any new thoughts coming. Don't forget to thank God for the inspiration. You have had a successful meditation!

If nothing comes in your meditation, don't be discouraged. Just try again later and keep on till you do. If you can only do it for a short amount of time, don't worry... you'll be able to go longer as you work at it.

Remember that meditation is like anything you have ever done... it takes practice. It takes discipline which is a gradual process. The more you do it, the better you will get. As you do it, you will be able to take the things that come, and increase your life.

If prayer meditation doesn't seem to be working for you, then follow the same steps... without the written intention. Keep your mind free of ALL things. Imagine that you are opening your mind for inspiration to enter. Keep all chatter out and focus on just being. This takes practice also.

I have seen that it can be easier for "B" type personalities to get into the meditation groove. They come out with sensitive yet creative inspiration. "A" type personalities typically have to work a little harder at it because they can be so busy in mind and body. It's hard for them to slow down and just listen... just "BE". However, as they practice, it creates a beautiful balance to their typical push in life.

Happy Meditating!

Courtney

Have a great day!

Taking my emotions to the "MAT"

Today I hit the point where I needed an extra good stretch to loosen up from the past week.

My emotions were tying my muscles up in knots.

Here are the top six poses from my practice.

The poses that felt best.

This one would have felt fine without bending backwards, but I was taking each pose as far as I could. I allowed my emotions to tell me where to go and how far to push... yet I was aware enough to not overdo it.

Ahhhhh!

With wheel, I love to start in Downward Facing Dog and roll till I am grounded here. The stretch during the roll hit the spot!

Because this is a deeper stretch I could feel it tapping through my frustrations. It released the "Grrrrr!" I was feeling.

This was my top twist. "Turn, turn, turn!"

Release!!!

Afterwards... I felt great.

Yes, I still have to deal with the struggles that have caused my bundle of emotions, but with the physical pain gone... I feel like I can handle it.

Courtney